Guardianship

• Article - Conservatorship and Adult Guardianship: A Beginner's Guide

  When and how to appoint a conservator, or adult guardian, for your parent if she can't make important health and financial decisions for herself.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - My mother gave power of attorney to her new husband, who is putting her life in danger. How can we get it away from him?

  My mother's new husband has power of attorney for her, but I feel he puts her life in danger. How can we get her to reappoint power of attorney?

Questions & Answers

• Question - What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship?

  What's the difference between a guardianship and a conservatorship? I want to know because my elderly parent refuses to sign a power of attorney.

• Question - How can I get emergency guardianship of my adult son who has a mental illness?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get guardianship over my mother in order to add her to my health insurance?

  An adult guardianship may be a way to get health insurance coverage for a parent.

• Question - We have had shared guardianship of my grandson with my...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I get affordable legal help with a guardianship?

  Local courts and special interest groups may help point the way to affordable legal help with conservatorships or guardianships.

• Question - Is guardianship recognized across state lines?

  It's most important that a guardian or conservator know the best interests of the person who needs help, but practical problems can arise where there is a geographical divide.

• Question - How do we deal with our brother who is seeking guardianship over our mother?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - What can we do to allow adult children to see their mother?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I take over care-making decisions when my brother has power of attorney?

  Try getting to the root of your family member's unwillingness to carry out the duties required in a power of attorney; then, consider other action.

• Question - How do I get legal guardianship of an adult son who cannot live independently?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - If I do not have guardianship, do I have any say over where my grandmother lives?

  Guardians can be changed – but it usually takes some pretty strong convincing and evidence before courts will agree to it.

• Question - Can my stepson petition for guardianship of my husband?

  While anyone can file a request to be named a legal guardian or conservator, a court will decide whether that's in the elderly person's best interests.

• Question - How do I become my adult child's legal guardian?

  Once a child becomes a legal adult, a parent needs to secure a guardianship or conservatorship to be authorized to continue making decisions about care and finances.

• Question - Is a conservatorship formed in Arizona valid in Utah?

  Some states provide excellent free help and advice on guardianships and conservatorships -- perhaps taking pity on those who invest time, money, and angst in the process of securing them.

• Question - How can I get a guardian removed from the position?

  You will need to mount a fullscale legal attack to get a guardian or conservator removed from the position.

• Question - Does power of attorney make me responsible for medical bills?

  accepting authority under a power of attorney for health care does not make someone financially responsible for medical or long-term care bills.

• Question - How do I handle finances when I share POA with my sister and both parents have dementia?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What steps are required to get a conservatorship?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Are guardians required by law for mentally incompetent elders?

  There has to be some pretty good evidence of neglect or mismanagement before a court will require a legal guardian or conservator.